About Sacred Heart Church · La Plata, Maryland
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church is a parish in La Plata, Charles County, Maryland, that has served Catholic worshippers in southern Maryland for more than 120 years. Canonically established in 1901 under the pastoral care of the Maryland Province Jesuits, the parish today sits in the Archdiocese of Washington and is led by Pastor Rev. Scott Woods together with two parochial vicars and a team of permanent deacons and lay staff. Sacred Heart runs a daily and Sunday Mass schedule, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), a multi-parish Community Catholic Youth Ministry, the new Pope St. John XXIII Family-Based Catechetical Program (launched 2025), and a music ministry. Its parish school, Archbishop Neale Catholic School (Pre-K through 8), shares the La Plata campus and draws from several Charles County parishes.
- Established
- 1901
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Scott Woods
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a richly Catholic weekly rhythm with four Sunday Masses, a daily noon Mass, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (daily 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm Monday-Thursday, plus Friday 12:30-5:30 pm and Wednesday evenings in the main church), Saturday and First Friday confessions, First Friday devotions to the Sacred Heart, a daily rosary, Stations of the Cross in Lent, and OCIA for adults. A multi-parish Community Catholic Youth Ministry (grades 6-12) and the brand-new Pope St. John XXIII Family-Based Catechetical Program draw in families together, while a Music Director and choirs support sung liturgy. Sacred Heart also partners with neighboring St. Catherine of Alexandria (McConchie) and St. Ignatius Loyola (Hilltop) on faith formation and with Archbishop Neale Catholic School (Pre-K-8) for parish schooling, making it the Catholic hub of Charles County.
Mass times at Sacred Heart Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before, during (weekends only), and after most Masses
- Saturday: 4:00–4:45 PM
- First Fridays: 6:30–8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00–9:00 PM (per Archdiocese of Washington parish page)
Adoration times
- Monday–Thursday: 12:30 PM–8:30 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Friday: 12:30 PM–5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 PM–9:00 PM in the main Church
History of Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart was canonically established in 1901 by Cardinal Gibbons under the pastoral care of the Maryland Province Jesuits. The original wood-frame church was erected in 1903 but had no furnace or pews; it was fully equipped and dedicated by Cardinal Gibbons in September 1905 at a cost of $3,917.27. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary arrived in 1927 to staff Sacred Heart School, and in 1948 the parish became part of the newly formed Archdiocese of Washington — the same year Archbishop Neale School opened to consolidate parish schooling. The present-day church was begun in 1963 by Fr. William Michelman, S.J., completing the planning of Fr. Lawrence Hak, S.J., and in 1966 the Jesuits handed pastoral care to archdiocesan priests.
Worship, Mass & Devotions
Sacred Heart runs a full daily and Sunday Mass schedule in English, with weekend liturgies at the parish church and weekday early Masses celebrated at the nearby Mt. Carmel Monastery. Confessions are heard before, during, and after most Masses, with extended Saturday and First Friday hours. Perpetual-style Eucharistic Adoration is offered Monday through Friday, with the Wednesday evening Holy Hour held in the main church. First Friday Mass and Devotions to the Sacred Heart are celebrated at 7:00 PM, the Rosary is prayed after Saturday morning Mass and at 4:20 PM, and Stations of the Cross are prayed twice on Fridays in Lent.
- Sunday Masses: 7:00 AM (no music), 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM at Sacred Heart; 8:00 AM at Mt. Carmel Monastery
- Saturday: 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Vigil at Sacred Heart; 8:00 AM at Mt. Carmel
- Weekday Mass: 12:00 PM (Sacred Heart) and 7:15 AM (Mt. Carmel)
- Adoration: Mon–Thu 12:30–8:30 PM; Fri 12:30–5:30 PM; Wed 7:00–9:00 PM in church
- First Friday Devotions: 7:00 PM
- Stations of the Cross in Lent: 11:30 AM and 6:30 PM
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is pastored by Rev. Scott Woods and assisted by two parochial vicars, three permanent deacons (including two retired), and a robust lay pastoral and administrative team. The pastoral team covers evangelization, communications, family faith formation, OCIA, youth ministry, music, and outreach to the homebound, while the administrative staff manages the parish office, finances, facilities, and the weekly bulletin.
- Pastor: Rev. Scott Woods
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Christopher Feist; Rev. Jessiah Rojas
- Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. William Carter; Rev. Mr. Matthew C. Laidley; Rev. Mr. Albert E. Graham Jr. (Retired); Rev. Mr. Anthony T. Barrasso (Retired)
- Pastoral Associate: William Wannall, MA, PMP (Evangelization, Communications, Family Faith Formation, OCIA, Digital & Social Media)
- Minister of Youth: Anna Albrittain (CCYM Director, Child Protection Coordinator, Summer Camp Director)
- Music Director: Sarah Grace Mason
- Office Manager: Christine Bowman
- Director of Facilities & Maintenance: Michael Knecht
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Sacred Heart has been rebuilt around the family. In its 2025 inaugural year, the Pope St. John XXIII Family-Based Catechetical Program gathers parents, guardians, and children together two Sundays a month for an hour of shared catechesis led by Fr. Christopher Feist and Pastoral Associate Bill Wannall, with age-appropriate breakout groups (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) led by the Sister Servants of the Lord and the Virgin Matará and volunteer catechists. Affiliate parishes include Sacred Heart, St. Catherine of Alexandria (McConchie), and St. Ignatius Loyola (Hilltop), and on-site childcare is provided for infants and toddlers by ADW-cleared parishioners — there is no tuition.
- Pope St. John XXIII Family Catechetical Program (K-Grade 8)
- Curriculum drawn from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Baltimore Catechism
- Sessions 10:30–11:30 AM two Sundays per month, Sept.–May
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish runs the Archdiocese of Washington's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) process for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. Classes are free, held Sunday mornings 10:30–11:30 AM with free childcare available, and begin each September. There is no cost, obligation, or commitment to explore.
- Contact: William Wannall, Pastoral Associate, 240-901-2252
- Classes: Sundays 10:30–11:30 AM, Sept.–Easter
- Open to all — no prior commitment required
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The Community Catholic Youth Ministry (CCYM) is a multi-parish youth group for students in grades 6–12, drawing primarily from Sacred Heart, St. Catherine's, and St. Ignatius Hilltop but welcoming teens from any parish (or none). Activities include Youth Nights, bonfires, retreats, Bible studies, service projects, the summer 'S'mores & Saints' gatherings at the Sacred Heart fire pit, and Girls' and Guys' Nights at the IHM House. A Young Adult Group is also coordinated through the parish, and all adult volunteers must comply with the Archdiocese of Washington Safe Environment policies.
- CCYM (grades 6–12) — Anna Albrittain, Minister of Youth, 240-901-2254
- Young Adult Group — Stephen Lehman-Davis, coordinator
- Social media: Instagram and Facebook @ccymcharlescounty
- Annual Summer Camp programs
Archbishop Neale Catholic School
Catholic schooling in La Plata traces directly to Sacred Heart: the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary arrived in 1927 to staff the original Sacred Heart School, and in 1948 Archbishop Neale School was established as a consolidated school to replace it. Today Archbishop Neale Catholic School (104 Port Tobacco Road, La Plata) serves Pre-K through Grade 8, including an After-School Care program, and operates on a campus shared with the IHM House that hosts youth and young-adult ministry activities.
- Address: 104 Port Tobacco Rd, La Plata, MD
- Phone: 301-934-9595 / 301-870-3679
- Grades: Pre-K through 8, plus After-School Care
- Principal: Teresa Skinner
Outreach & Pastoral Care
Sacred Heart maintains a network of pastoral-care ministries reaching beyond the parish walls. Coordinated by dedicated lay staff and deacons, these ministries bring the sacraments and the parish community to those who cannot easily come to church.
- Ministry to Hospital, Nursing Homes, and Homebound (Kitty Adams, Coordinator)
- Homebound Coordinator: Kathy Greene
- Fertility Awareness / Natural Family Planning: Ellen Blumhardt
- Sacramental emergencies line: 301-648-8783
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at Sacred Heart is coordinated by Music Director Sarah Grace Mason and a team of choirs supporting the parish's weekend and Holy Day liturgies. The Sunday 7:00 AM Mass is celebrated without music to serve parishioners who prefer a quieter liturgy.
- Music Director: Sarah Grace Mason
- Sunday 7:00 AM Mass is sung without music
Contact & Visiting
The parish church stands at 201 Saint Marys Avenue in La Plata, while the parish office is housed in the Baldus Centre at 101 Charles Street, Suite 204 (the mailing address is 205 Saint Marys Avenue). The office is open Monday–Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closing for lunch 11:45 AM–1:00 PM. The parish building is wheelchair accessible. Sacramental emergencies are handled around the clock at 301-648-8783.
- Parish Office: 101 Charles Street, Suite 204, La Plata, MD 20646
- Phone: 301-934-2261
- Sacramental Emergencies: 301-648-8783
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM (closed 11:45 AM–1 PM)
- Wheelchair Accessible
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Brent Matthews, S.J.1925 (rectory built during his pastorate)
Maryland Province Jesuit
- Fr. Lawrence Hak, S.J.before 1963
Began planning the present church
- Fr. William Michelman, S.J.1963–1966
Completed the new-church planning and broke ground in 1963; last Jesuit pastor before 1966 handover to archdiocese